Complete all ongoing development works by May 20, Thane civic chief tells officials

Thane civic commissioner Saurabh Rao reviews pre-monsoon preparations and disaster management plans, on Monday.

In view of the upcoming monsoon season, Thane Municipal Commissioner (TMC) Saurabh Rao has directed the authorities and agencies involved in ongoing development work in the city to complete all the projects by May 20. He emphasised that the municipal officers concerned must coordinate with the other agencies to ensure timely completion of work, particularly on Ghodbunder Road. Rao also warned that no blame-game would be tolerated if a disaster is reported during monsoon, while urging all the authorities to stay alert.

To review the pre-monsoon preparations and disaster management measures during monsoon, Rao held a meeting with the officials on Monday. The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner Prashant Rode, City Engineer Prashant Songra, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pankaj Shirsat, and senior officials from the municipal corporation, as well as Public Works Department, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Metro, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL), MahaGAS, and Railways.

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During the meeting, the Thane civic commissioner emphasised that all departments should remain on high alert throughout the monsoon season. Authorities must be prepared to take necessary measures on days when high tides are predicted, he stated. The civic chief also directed all the departments to ensure that the Disaster Management Control Room is operational 24X7 during monsoon.

MMRDA and MSRDC

The MMRDA has been asked to complete all the necessary road maintenance and repairs before the monsoon and ensure that potholes are fixed to prevent accidents. Rao also directed the officials to clear barricades at locations where roadwork has been completed and instructed that the ongoing roadwork near the University be completed by May 20. Additionally, the iron barricades kept for the Metro work should be cleared, and any unnecessary materials left at work sites must be removed promptly, said Rao.

MSRDC has been directed to complete the maintenance and repairs of roads and bridges before the monsoon. The civic commissioner emphasised that advanced equipment must be available to quickly address any potholes caused by heavy rainfall. Work on the road from Kalwa to Majivada should be completed by the end of May, Rao instructed. He also told the officials concerned to complete the work at the Kharigaon toll naka through a tender process.

Railways

The civic commissioner asked the railway authorities to clean internal drains and culverts within its jurisdiction. He emphasised that permanent measures should be put in place to ensure the cleanliness of railway culverts.

Traffic dept

The department was urged to plan measures to avoid traffic congestion during monsoon. "Coordination officers should be appointed, and work on road projects at Jupiter Hospital should be expedited, as noted by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pankaj Shirsat. Additionally, the incomplete culvert work on Road No 22 should be prioritised and completed quickly by deploying extra manpower," said Rao, setting a deadline of June 5 for the completion of the work. The ongoing work at Chiragnagar Cadbury Junction must also be finished at the earliest, he said.

The Regional Transport Department has been directed to initiate action to remove abandoned vehicles from various parts of the city through camps and auction processes. Rao highlighted that several issues are cropping up during the ongoing drain-cleaning work due to cables laid by MSEDCL, and the departments concerned must take immediate measures to resolve these problems.

Tree-trimming

The civic commissioner said that trimming of dangerous trees and branches in the municipal jurisdiction should be completed by May 30, and the green waste generated should be disposed of immediately. He also emphasised that all agencies must maintain coordination during the monsoon to ensure smooth operations and prompt responses to any emergencies.